- The human heart is deeply corrupt (腐敗)
Regarding the human heart, the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah, began his ministry in the 13th year of King Josiah of Judah) in the Old Testament describes it as deceitful and desperately wicked. (Jer 17:9, 10)
Jeremiah 17
9. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
10. "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."
Jesus also said that evil thoughts, such as adultery, theft, and murder, come from the human heart and defile a person. (Mark 7:18-23)
Mark 7
18. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him?
20. And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22. thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
- Humans do not change
The Lord gave the Ten Commandments through Moses, instructing the Israelites to keep them and teach them to their children. However, from the Exodus onwards, even until the time of King Manasseh (14th king of Judah, reigned 687-642 BC), they only temporarily followed the Lord’s commandments before abandoning them and wholeheartedly worshipping idols. The Lord expressed His wrath towards them for this. (2 Kings 21:12, 14, 15)
2 Kings 21
12. Thus saith the Lord, Because of these things, and because Jerusalem hath provoked me to anger with her idols, and the houses are full of the works of their hands, that provoke me to anger.
15. Because they have done that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger with the works of their hands, in that they have made themselves molten images, according to the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord did cast out before the children of Israel.
After the age of 20, IQ and personality (性格) do not change. Some psychologists say that personality is fixed by the age of 15. Psychologists call this "temperament" (氣質). Personality and IQ are inherited. And another thing that is difficult to change is habit (習慣). Our brains (腦) dislike thinking. Why do they dislike thinking?
As humans evolved, they adopted bipedalism, and to supply blood to their raised brains, they adopted a vertical blood vessel structure. The heart works like a high-cost, low-efficiency engine to supply blood to the brain, which is located higher up. Therefore, supplying nutrients to the brain is costly. In short, the more you think, the more energy you use. (Source: [Psychology Column] People Don't Change (feat. Kim Kyung-il, 1970~) — Steemit)
- The conscious world of humans
The unconscious (無意識) is the deepest and most important part of the human psyche (精神) and provides clues to understanding an individual's behavior (行動).
The unconscious (無意識), which lies outside the conscious realm, occupies most of the mental world and governs human behavior (行動), determining the direction of actions. This includes fear, violent impulses, irrational desires, lewd desires, selfishness, and shameful experiences. (Counseling Dictionary, 2016)
It is surprising that 95% of human behavior patterns are driven by our subconscious (潛在意識, emotional brain) and unconscious (無意識, survival brain), and only 5% of behavioral patterns are driven by consciousness (意識, rational brain). (Source: https://21erick.org/column/9942/, Understanding the Unconscious and Utilizing it in Learning)
- To be reborn
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a leader of the Jews, witnessed the miracles performed by Jesus and considered Him a teacher sent from God. Late one night, he sought out the Lord, hoping to gain instruction that would enhance his knowledge. However, Jesus had a different topic He wished to reveal.
"Who can enter the kingdom of God?" This was the fundamental truth He sought to convey. Who can enter the kingdom of God? One born of the flesh cannot enter. (John 3:1-8)
Jesus’ answer was that only those who are born again can enter. Only those born of the Spirit can enter.
Being born anew as a child of God occurs when a person who has repented of their sins relies on the merit (功勞) of Jesus Christ, receives baptism in water, and receives the seal (印) of the Holy Spirit (聖靈). The Bible refers to a person transformed in this way by water and the Spirit as a "new creation" (被造物) (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Enlightenment is a phenomenon that occurs in the conscious (意識) world, but true change requires transforming the unconscious (無意識) world as well. To achieve this, it is important to resolve issues lurking in the unconscious, such as greed and trauma.
The unconscious governs most human behavior, receiving both positive and negative information and influencing actions. Therefore, by changing the unconscious (無意識), life can be changed positively (肯定的).
Ken Wilber (American psychologist) became immersed in Eastern and Western philosophies after encountering Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching (道德經). During his decades of residence in East Asian countries, including Korea, he learned through direct practice, meetings with Buddhist monks and clergy, and others that spiritual (靈的) experiences do not guarantee psychological completeness. (Source; “When you truly love, you become one with it” (hani.co.kr) 2013. 12. 18)
It can be said that one truly lives a reborn life when spiritual (靈的) experiences and changes in the unconscious (無意識) are brought about. However, it is important to remember that this path is a narrow one. (Matt 7:13, 14)
- Life after rebirth (以後)
Jeremiah 17
5. Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.
7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
8. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
2 Corinthians 4
14. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
16. Therefore we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Those who truly believe in and rely on the Lord live an experiential life of communion with the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit (聖靈). Therefore, they move away from worldly (世俗的) values such as the desires of the flesh (肉體) and the eyes (眼目), and the pride of life, which writhe within the heart, that is, the unconscious, and pursue the unseen, eternal life, living a life of rebirth.
Although it is a narrow gate (門), this path is truly the path of life, and those who walk it to the end will set free those who are bound in darkness or captivity, and live a life of helping the poor. This is possible only when one approaches with a heart of compassion and love given by the Holy Spirit, not by one's own will or strength.
2024. 10. 10 Cham Gil (Pen name (筆名))
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